In fact, Ashton honored Ryan at the LA’s Promise 2011 gala at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood Sept. 27 and a guest tells HollywoodLife.com the two buddies were in deep conversation for much of the night.

“Backstage Ashton took Ryan aside and thanked him for being such ‘an incredible friend through such difficult times,'” our source says.

“They were in a deep conversation for about 40 minutes and at the end Ashton and Ryan gave each other a big hug. Ashton thanked Ryan for always sending him text messages saying, ‘Just thinking about you’ and ‘How are you doing today?’ Ashton was overheard telling Ryan, ‘It’s during the most challenging times in your life that you really realize who your good friends are!'”

Attendees at the event included Ryan’s girlfriend Julianne Hough, Randy Jackson and Julie Bowen. LA Promise is non-profit organization dedicated to helping students in lower class income families. The star-studded event featured a private screening of Cirque du Soleil’s new show Iris.

Do YOU think Ashton and Demi will end up splitting or do you think they’ll be able to work through this? Will Ashton ever be like womanizing Tiger Woods or Charlie Sheen in your eyes? Sound off below!